Thursday, December 6, 2012

Some Windows users don't want to move to Linux because they cannot run their favourite Windows programs. However, "PlayonLinux" (http://www.playonlinux.com) provides us a great solution to install and run Windows programs on Linux as native Linux programs, i.e. program icons are placed on the desktop. PlayonLinux is developed based on Wine with a simple interface for installing/removing applications. On Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Linux Mint..., you can install PlayonLinux in Software Center/Manager. A simpler way is to open Terminal and run the command:

sudo apt-get install playonlinux

Run PlayonLinux, you can see its interface:

PlayonLinux installs each application to a virtual drive stored in ".playonlinux/wineprefix". In Configure, you can find virtual drives on the left and each virtual drive has it own settings, registry and frameworks.

You can install more frameworks, such as .NET, DirectX, Adobe/Air, in "Install packages" tab.

You can also set Render engine in Display tab.

To install a new Windows application, click Install button and follow steps:
1) choose an app

2) install
3) specify a new virtual drive or select from available ones